Tropical Storm Isaac threatens Caribbean, Republican Convention

MIAMI (Reuters) - Tropical Storm Isaac swirled over the Caribbean on Wednesday and was forecast to become a hurricane as it moved on a track that would put it off the coast of Florida on Monday, the opening day of the Republican National Convention in Tampa.

The threat to the Caribbean was certain, with Isaac already closing in on the Leeward Islands and hurricane watches in effect for many places, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.

Isaac could also potentially threaten U.S. energy interests in the Gulf of Mexico, weather experts said. It was centered about 210 miles east of Guadeloupe early on Wednesday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.